The World Customs Organization (WCO) has declared January 26 as International Customs Day, celebrated worldwide. Each year, the WCO selects a theme. The theme for 2025 focuses on promoting efficiency, security, and prosperity, highlighting the crucial role of customs in optimizing trade flows, protecting society against illegal trade, and contributing to economic growth and stability.
This year, International Customs Day was celebrated in Curaçao. Customs Caribbean Netherlands was also represented by a small delegation. Other customs organizations from Aruba, Suriname, and the Netherlands also participated.
In the lead-up to the official celebration of Customs Day, various activities took place, including meetings with speeches from, among others, the Minister of Finance of Curaçao, sports, and excursions.
Next year, in 2026, Customs Caribbean Netherlands has the honor of organizing International Customs Day in Bonaire.
Customs Caribbean Netherlands is part of the Caribbean Netherlands Tax Office (B/CN) and is primarily responsible for monitoring the flow of goods to and from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, as well as the collection of ABB upon import. As such, it is part of the Dutch Customs.